REQUESTING THE STATE
COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN TO MAINTAIN A DATABASE ON SEX TRAFFICKING
OFFENSES.

WHEREAS, the
State is in need of increased data about sex trafficking; and

WHEREAS, at
the present time, there is neither a method for statewide data collection, nor
a clear mandate for the collection, reporting, and analysis of important
metrics of sex trafficking; and

WHEREAS, in
fiscal year 2016-2017, a total of eighty-three cases of sex trafficking were
reported to the Department of Human Services' child trafficking hotline, and
the youngest reported victim was six years old; and

WHEREAS, no
other prevalence data on victims are readily available, and both the State and
non-state actors struggle to provide adequate care, shelter, and support to the
current number of sex trafficking victims in the State; and

WHEREAS, men,
boys, and transgender individuals are victimized by sex trafficking, but the
majority of victims are cisgender women and girls; and

WHEREAS,
cisgender girls accounted for ninety-eight percent of minor victims in all sex
trafficking cases in the country from 2010 to 2015; and

WHEREAS, due
to the enduringly gendered nature of the crime, the State Commission on the
Status of Women produced a report that points to sex trafficking as a
significant problem in Hawaii; and

WHEREAS, the
Commission also found that there is a larger incentive to force women and youth
into sex trafficking in the State than in major American cities; and

WHEREAS, it
is necessary to improve the State's efforts to stop sex trafficking;

BE IT
RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirtieth Legislature of the
State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2019, that the State Commission on the
Status of Women is requested to maintain a database on sex trafficking
offenses, which include offenses under sections 712‑1200(1)(b) and
712-1202, Hawaii Revised Statutes; and

BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that the purpose of the database is requested to be to:

(1)Collect and maintain relevant statewide sex
trafficking data; provided that data submission is compliant with the
applicable privacy laws governing the source of the data; provided further that
all data on the database shall be made accessible to each governmental entity
if disclosure and use is consistent with the privacy laws governing the source
of the data; and

(2)Annually review data collection practices
within government to ensure agencies are providing data necessary for the
database; and

BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that it is requested that the database include data on the:

(1)Total number of all sex trafficking cases in
Hawaii reported to national and local trafficking hotlines;

(2)Total number of sex trafficking cases reported
to and handled by governmental agencies and private organizations receiving
state funding;

(3)Total number of arrests, prosecutions, and
convictions under sections 712-1200(1)(b) and 712-1202, Hawaii Revised
Statutes;

(4)The age range and average age of victims,
offenders, and traffickers;

(5)The sex and gender identity of victims, offenders,
and traffickers;

(6)The race and ethnicity of victims, offenders,
and traffickers;

(7)The total number of native Hawaiian victims;

(8)The total number of immigrant victims; and

(9)The total amount of annual federal and state
funds available to address sex trafficking; and

BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that the Attorney General, the Judiciary, and the chiefs of police and
prosecuting attorneys of the several counties are requested to provide to the
Commission data necessary for the purposes of the database; and

BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that the Commission is requested to submit a report to the Legislature
on the sex trafficking statistics, and any proposed legislation, no later than
twenty days before the convening of the Regular Session of 2021, and every year
thereafter; and

BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the
Chairperson of the State Commission on the Status of Women; the Attorney
General; the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Hawaii; and the chiefs of
police and prosecuting attorneys of the several counties.